Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Pick-Me-Up Projects

Every so often (like now) I hit a dry spot and can't decide what to work on next. My sewing time is pretty much limited to evenings, and that's not my favourite time to sew. I can't seem to get inspired in the evenings. I share my sewing space with my family in our family room, and I feel crowded in that corner when everyone else is in the room with me. My thoughts are crowded too, and I just can't relax and concentrate on sewing when my husband is flipping through six different TV channels to watch baseball, reality shows and such ... too much confusing background noise!

This evening I pulled out a few past projects trying to decide if I want to make more as a little "pick-me-up" project just to get me in motion again.

These little dolls are fun to work on ... and I can work on these during the day since it's portable embroidery. I made these dolls from the book "Felt Wee Folk" by Salley Mavor.

Salley Mavor does some truly amazing work with felt and embroidery. Her latest work with a bird collage is so inspiring, and something I might like to try myself (but to be honest, probably never will). The detail she adds to these birds is stunning. I tend to watch birds A LOT in my backyard and on my walks in the woods. Salley really captures the birds' character in a way that often eludes other artists. I love doing embroidery (especially on felt), and I could really lose myself in something like this. I bought her wee folk book some years ago, and have had a lot of fun making these dolls to give as gifts to friends and family. This one is yet to be completed with some hair and acorn cap:

I enjoy picking out the silk flower petals to match their little outfits.

Making some soft toys is another possibility. I made these little guys from patterns by Hillary Lang of Wee Wonderfuls. I have a little girl in my care that loves to cuddle with soft toys in the crook of her neck, and I thought I could maybe make another rabbitfor her or a "wee" from Hillary's patterns. Easy patterns that are quick to whip up!

I made the above little elephant when my kids were too old for soft toys, and for some reason they named him "Hypothermia" (?!). He's from a book that Hillary contributed to.

I think I'm leaning towards the rabbit. In some soft, pretty cotton. The shape of the rabbit is perfect for the crook of a small child's neck. I really just want to SEW!! ANYthing!! And it's bugging me that I'm stalled for ideas and trapped without time, but perhaps a quick little pick-me-up project like this will get the gears in my mind clicking again :D